The extraction of iron(III) from aluminium sulphate solutions by the amine Primene 81R sulphate has been studied using 15 diluents of different types. The results are discussed in terms of the composition of the diluent and aggregation of the amine sulphate in solution, the dielectric constant and polar nature of the diluent, and interfacial tensions between aqueous media and amine sulphate solutions in the diluents. The best extraction results were obtained with diluents such as toluene and benzene.Peer reviewe
